Yellowstone & Dutton Ranch Star Kelly Reilly's Hair Evolution, In Photos

When it comes to Western dramas, seeing characters get glammed up is pretty rare, which is why you may be surprised to see what Beth Dutton from "Yellowstone" looks like in real life. Kelly Reilly, who portrayed the feisty ranch heir for five seasons, was usually seen wearing casual 'fits, with the occasional risqué dress thrown in, and her tousled blond hair in carefree waves. While many fans may think that's her natural color, as it totally suits Reilly's skin tone, in real life, her strands are actually red.

After "Yellowstone" ended, Reilly went back to red by dyeing the shade over her blond hair to let go of Beth Dutton and transform for her role in "Under Salt Marsh," per Town & Country. "There's something about a new character clearing the palate for a different woman to move in," she told the outlet. Reilly's hair evolution over the years has truly been amazing, and from red to blond and back, she has proven to be an utter chameleon.

Long before she was known as Beth Dutton in "Yellowstone," Kelly Reilly had a thriving acting career in London. At a 2003 event for the David Mamet play, "Sexual Perversity In Chicago," she showed that knowing your skin tone is essential when choosing copper hair color with a shade that went perfectly with her neutral skin tone. With her strands in loose curls around her face, Reilly looked unrecognizable without her bangs. The following year, she went even bolder with a deeper warm red color and a choppy fringe that was so Y2K.

2005 and 2006 saw Kelly Reilly rocking the Y2K-inspired side-part hair trend, with her long bangs swept over one brow. She kept her length just a bit past her shoulders, which, combined with the deep part, gave the "Russian Dolls" star tons of volume. It seemed she favored a dark chestnut color with copper overtones as a highlight during those years, and we're digging the earthy vibes. Her relaxed styles show that Reilly's no-fuss approach to hair is definitely something to admire.

With Kelly Reilly's never-ending tendency to change up her hair, it's not surprising that she went with a warmer shade in 2007. The ginger color brought out the cool tones in her skin, and the light highlights gave her a halo-like glow. Reilly made the soft transition from long, face-framing strands to eye-grazing bangs that would soon become her signature look. By 2011, she went with an even longer fringe that she swept to the side. Hey, if a hairstyle works for you, we say don't mess with it.

Kelly Reilly kept her naturally red hair for the 2012 flick "Flight," so she didn't have to go for a major dye job, as with her other roles. While at the Los Angeles premiere in October of that year, she wore her lob loose and slightly wavy, with lots of body at the crown and sides. In 2014, Reilly arrived at a showing of "Chinese Puzzle" with buttery tresses and blunt bangs that hit just at her brows. The sunny shade instantly brightened up her face, and it's clear why the native Brit keeps going back to blond.

Kelly Reilly kept her blunt bangs in 2015, but she had gone back to red, with a golden peachy shade that was totally dreamy. Her medium-length hair grazed her shoulders and was long enough to style relaxed beachy waves for Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th anniversary shindig. Reilly had to transform herself yet again in 2018 for her role as Beth Dutton in "Yellowstone," a character she would become widely known for. As always, the longtime actor didn't go for a fussy updo and instead channeled Dutton's carefree spirit during the first season's premiere with undone, boho waves.

Kelly Reilly rocked blond tresses for six years during her stint on "Yellowstone," and while her hair wasn't as wild and untamed as Beth Dutton's at the 2019 premiere, she went with a blunt shoulder-length cut and wavy tendrils framing her face. After the series concluded filming in 2024, Reilly let her red locks shine and went for fiery orange shade that brought out her blue eyes. Her hair was long enough for a swept-up style at the Season 5 premiere, showing off a set of to-die-for cheekbones.

It's clear that Kelly Reilly loves playing around with the length of her hair, and she opted for a glamorous lob in 2025 while keeping her copper shade. Ever the dedicated actor, Reilly had to put on her Beth Dutton persona yet again with the start of "Dutton Ranch," and during the premiere in May 2026, the actor stunned in platinum blond. It remains to be seen how long she'll keep the icy color, but we wouldn't be surprised if Reilly ditched the blond for red, yet again.